Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: Three weeks of training to pilot a 1-person submersible
(Deepworker 2000) has been completed, including ocean launch and recovery operations and check-out dives.
Field research will commence in FY00.
Background: SSE, a five-year project between NOAA National Sanctuary Program and National Geographic Society,
is using new technologies in occupied submersibles to explore and document deepwater resources of our 12 national marine sanctuaries.
As one of eight pilots/researchers from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), a PFEL scientist has been trained
to operate the Deepworker submersible and associated equipment including sector-scanning sonar, video camera, a navigation/tracking
system, all life support systems, and underwater communications. While the first year of the SSE in MBNMS largely was devoted to
pilot-training, research in the next three years will focus on exploration of the local marine environment using Deepworker ,
and increasing local and national environmental awareness through education.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: Two PFEL research proposals were selected as part of the SSE mission. Surveys of
benthic fish resources and deepwater habitats were to be conducted in the no-take Big Creek Ecological Reserve and adjacent unprotected areas.
These data can be compared with similar information collected with the Delta submersible during the last two years. Scientists also were
to evaluate day-night activities and habitat-use by rockfishes on deep rock outcrops in MBNMS.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: In situ vehicles allow for small-scale direct observations and descriptions
of fish/habitat associations, especially in heterogeneous environments at depths beyond SCUBA. SSE provided the chance to continue our
studies of deepwater fish habitats using the one-person Deepworker submersible. However, this particular program required the scientist
to pilot the sub, monitor life-support systems, and conduct research simultaneously. This unique opportunity demands extensive pilot
training prior to initiation of research. The initial training and ocean check-out dives have now been completed and research dives
are anticipated to occur during the next few years. In addition, during this
first year SSE's Teacher-In-The-Sea Program has developed science curricula for high school education nationwide using this PFEL research
project as the model.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): These studies address
research priorities identified by NMFS and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, such as identification, characterization, and description
of essential elements of habitat for commercially managed fish species; the use of reserves as a fisheries management tool; improving stock
assessments by including habitat-specific estimates of species abundances. The educational and public outreach aspects of the SSE mission
focus a national spotlight on these fisheries issues.
Problems: Persistent northwest winds in May and technical difficulties associated primarily with submersible launch and recovery limited
progress of the SSE mission in MBNMS. Delays in production of the submersible also resulted in last-minute changes to cruise plans.
Key Contact: Mary Yoklavich (831-648-9036, myoklavich@pfeg.noaa.gov).